Arsenal Women are closing in on a significant double signing from Germany, with reports from Tim Stillman suggesting both Elina Cerci and highly-rated RB Leipzig winger Lisa Baum are edging closer to moves to North London.
The potential arrivals would represent two very different but equally important additions for Renée Slegers as Arsenal continue their summer rebuild following a number of high-profile departures.
While Cerci arrives as a proven goalscorer entering her prime years, Baum is widely regarded as one of the most exciting teenage attacking talents in European football.
Arsenal’s Summer Rebuild Continues
The Gunners have already seen several experienced players leave this summer, creating a need for both immediate impact and long-term succession planning. Cerci and Baum would provide exactly that balance.
At 25, Cerci offers proven Bundesliga production and international experience with Germany. Baum, meanwhile, is a developmental signing with the potential to become one of Europe’s elite wide forwards over the coming years.
Signing both players would strengthen Arsenal’s depth across the front line while reducing reliance on a small group of attacking stars.
Why Elina Cerci Fits Arsenal Perfectly
Cerci officially confirmed her departure from Hoffenheim after deciding against extending her contract, making her one of the most attractive free agents available this summer. The German international leaves Hoffenheim after an outstanding spell in which she scored 34 goals in 46 appearances across all competitions.
Her most impressive campaign came when she claimed the Bundesliga Golden Boot, establishing herself as one of Germany’s most clinical finishers. For Arsenal, the appeal is obvious.
Cerci combines intelligent movement inside the penalty area with strong finishing on both feet. She is capable of playing as a central striker but can also operate across the front line, giving Slegers valuable tactical flexibility.
Perhaps most importantly, she arrives without a transfer fee. In an increasingly inflated market, securing a player with Cerci’s production record on a free transfer could prove to be one of the smartest deals of the summer.
Lisa Baum: Arsenal’s Investment In The Future
While Cerci would immediately improve Arsenal’s attack, Baum represents something different. The 19-year-old RB Leipzig winger has become one of the most sought-after young players in Europe after an impressive debut Bundesliga season.
According to reports in Germany, Arsenal currently lead a transfer race that includes Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Lyon and London City Lionesses. That level of competition highlights just how highly Baum is regarded.
Born in Tanzania before moving to Germany as a child, Baum’s rise has been remarkably quick. After developing at Hamburger SV, she joined RB Leipzig last summer and immediately became one of the club’s most influential attacking players.
Despite playing for a Leipzig side that finished in the lower half of the Bundesliga table, Baum finished as the club’s joint-leading league scorer while consistently troubling defenders with her pace, creativity and direct running.
What Makes Lisa Baum Special?
Few young attackers in Europe play with the same level of confidence and fearlessness. Baum’s greatest strength is her ability to eliminate defenders in one-versus-one situations.
Comfortable using either foot, she can attack on the outside before delivering crosses or cut inside to create shooting opportunities. That unpredictability makes her particularly difficult to defend against.
Her numbers are equally encouraging. Despite her age and relative inexperience, Baum ranked among the Bundesliga’s most productive chance creators while also contributing goals from wide areas.
She is also known for her relentless work ethic, both in possession and when pressing opponents. Those qualities align closely with the high-intensity style Arsenal have increasingly adopted under Slegers.
Why Arsenal Could Be The Ideal Destination
Arsenal’s recent track record with young signings has been mixed, but there are signs that the environment has improved significantly under the current coaching staff. Unlike some European giants where Baum could struggle for minutes, Arsenal may offer the ideal balance between competition and opportunity.
Slegers regularly rotates her attacking players and has shown a willingness to trust younger talents when they demonstrate readiness. That could allow Baum to develop gradually without facing immediate pressure to become a weekly starter.
The club’s participation in both the Women’s Super League and UEFA Women’s Champions League would also provide valuable experience against elite opposition. For a player viewed as a future Germany international regular, that development pathway could be extremely attractive.
Transfer Snapshot
Elina Cerci
Age: 25
Current Club: Hoffenheim
Position: Striker
Contract Status: Free agent
2025/26 Highlights:
34 goals in 46 appearances during her Hoffenheim spell
Former Bundesliga Golden Boot winner
Germany international
Available without a transfer fee
Arsenal Fit: Immediate first-team contributor capable of adding goals and versatility across the attack.
Lisa Baum
Age: 19
Current Club: RB Leipzig
Position: Winger
2025/26 Highlights:
Joint-top scorer for RB Leipzig
One of Bundesliga’s leading young chance creators
Germany youth international
Attracting interest from multiple European giants
Arsenal Fit: Long-term investment with elite potential and the profile to thrive in Arsenal’s attacking system.
What Happens Next?
Neither deal has been officially completed, but momentum appears to be building around both transfers.
Cerci’s free-agent status makes negotiations relatively straightforward, while Arsenal’s reported position at the front of the queue for Baum could allow them to move quickly before rival clubs intensify their interest.
If both signings are finalised, Arsenal would secure a blend of immediate quality and future potential that few clubs in Europe could match this summer.
For a team aiming to compete domestically and challenge for the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Cerci and Baum may prove to be two of the most important additions of the entire transfer window.